Premier League Darts Round 5 Betting Preview – Exeter

PDC Darts’ finest roll into Exeter

Michael van Gerwen’s 100% record at the top of the Premier League ended last week in a hard-fought draw but the Dutchman still leads the way a the tournament heads to the West Country.

There are some terrific matches to look forward to at the Westpoint Arena including a clash between this year’s surprise package and the world champion. Keep reading for our preview of this week’s Premier League darts.

World champ takes on this year’s Premier League surprise package

Mighty Mike may still be at the top of the early Premier League table but Dave Chisnall is the only other unbeaten player in this year’s tournament and boasts an identical record to the Dutchman. Chizzy’s excellent start to this campaign continued last week in Belfast as he averaged 107 in a high quality match against debutant Kim Huybrechts.

Chisnall may find it tougher this week, however, as he takes on the world champion. Gary Anderson sits third in the table after a 7-4 win over James Wade in front of over 7,000 in Belfast and came back from 3-1 down to record another win.

The two early pacesetters face each other in Thursday’s final match and the unbeaten Chisnall can be backed at 5/2.

Michael van Gerwen retained an unbeaten record but had to settle for a 6-6 draw last week against former world champion Adrian Lewis. The Dutchman came back from 5-2 and 6-4 down to grab a point despite a 106.28 average.

“I enjoy Belfast but I am a bit disappointed with a draw – I missed a few doubles. But he’s a fantastic player and played his best darts at the right moments. My average was good but I wanted the two points,” said van Gerwen.

The 2014 world champion faces Peter Wright in Exeter with Snakebite yet to win a match this season. We fancy the world number one to win at 4/11.

Strugglers desperate for points at bottom of table

It’s been a baptism of fire for two Premier League debutants so far this season with both Stephen Bunting and Kim Huybrechts yet to win a match.

The Belgian was one dart away from a nine dart finish in his match with Dave Chisnall last week and he was unlucky to emerge with nothing after recording a 107.1 average. Huybrechts opens proceedings in Exeter in week five and will face reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld who got a much needed win last Thursday.

This is a touch match to call but we fancy Huybrechts to record his first win of the campaign at 9/5.

Stephen Bunting has found it difficult this season and sits at the bottom of the table with the lowest three dart average and the lowest checkout percentage of all the players. It doesn’t get any easier this week as he faces former world champion Adrian Lewis who was in good form last week and unlucky not to beat van Gerwen.

Lewis should win Thursday’s third match at 8/13.

The second match of the night at the Westpoint Arena sees Phil Taylor take on James Wade. The Power had a tough contest last week, eventually securing a point after a 6-6 draw with Peter Wright, while Wade went down 7-4 to Gary Anderson for this first defeat of the Premier League season.

This could be a close match and the draw is available at 4/1.

The fifth week of the Premier League kicks off at 7.15pm on Thursday 5 March.